Research has shown that mild cold temperature exposure can increase the size and activity of brown fat in humans by triggering non-shivering thermogenesis. Colder temperature exposure that triggers shivering not only can be extremely uncomfortable, but is also ineffective in creating the physiological response that stimulates brown adipose tissue. Brown fat, long thought to be absent or dormant in adult humans, converts available glucose to caloric heat to maintain body temperature in cold environmental conditions. Because brown fat burns significant calories from glucose, studies have focused on mild cold stimulation of brown fat to target weight loss, obesity and diabetes.

Said Hyperwear President and co-founder Dirk Buikema: “It is exciting to be able to bring to market an effective new tool to help consumers lose and maintain weight that will not involve drugs, surgery or ingesting supplements. As part of an overall Hyperwear program of exercise and proper nutrition, wearing a cooling vest to stimulate brown fat gives people new hope to achieve lasting good health without the ineffective and painful cold of an ice vest, ice baths, and cold showers.”

Hyperwear now holds two patents and is engaging with product and research partners to expand on the technology and its benefits for weight loss and health. Other Hyperwear products, such as the patented SandBell® sand filled neoprene weights, have been used in exercise programs targeting weight loss.